What are the causes?

What are the symptoms?

What treatment can you get?

First aid

What can be done to prevent asthma?

Asthma often runs in families. Children are also more likely to develop asthma if their mother smoked during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. One of the most common predisposing factors for asthma are allergies to house dust mites, mould spores, pollen and pets, and sometimes food allergies. Most people find that there are several things that can trigger their asthma.

Asthma triggers include:

• viral infections, such as colds and flu
• cigarette smoking in the home
• certain forms of exercise, such as running
• exposure to cold, dry air
• laughing and other emotions
• medication containing aspirin
• drinks containing sulphur dioxide, such as squashes and lemon barley water

The main symptoms of asthma are:

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• a tight feeling in the chest

There are two main treatments for asthma - relievers and preventers. These come in a variety of delivery devices called inhalers. You breathe the medicine in through your mouth, directly into your lungs.

Relievers are drugs called 'bronchodilators' (based on adrenaline) that relax the muscles that surround the airways, making it easier to breathe. You should take these as directed by your doctor as soon as symptoms appear. Taking a dose of the reliever inhaler before exercise will increase your stamina and prevent breathing difficulty.

Preventers are drugs (usually low-dose steroids) that calm the inflammation in the airways and make them less sensitive. This means that you are less likely to react when your body comes across a trigger. The protective effect of this medicine is built up over a period of time so you should take your preventer regularly, as directed by your doctor.

Combination preventer and long-acting reliever inhalers have become very popular

Combination preventer and long-acting reliever inhalers have become very popular and seem to be particularly good in controlling more severe persistent asthma. If your asthma is really bad, your doctor may also prescribe a short course of steroid tablets to calm your inflamed airways.

Newer anti-inflammatory tablet-form medication for asthma includes the 'leukotriene' antagonists. These are particularly useful for brittle asthma and those patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma. The most recent addition to the list of possible treatments for asthma is a new injection medication for those with severe allergic asthma, which works by dampening down the allergic reaction.

There is little scientific evidence to support the use of breathing exercises in the treatment of asthma. However, some people with asthma find that breathing exercises reduce their symptoms of asthma and reduce their need for medication.

Take the following actions if someone has an asthma attack:

• try to stay calm
• make sure they take their reliever medicine
• listen to them, reassure them and encourage them to breathe slowly and deeply
• if the person has a peak-flow meter use this to monitor their condition

You should call a doctor or ambulance immediately if the reliever has no effect after ten minutes or if the peak-flow meter falls to less than 50 per cent of the expected reading. You should also do this if the person becomes distressed or unable to speak properly.

You can help to avoid asthma by taking preventer medicine regularly

You can help to avoid asthma by taking preventer medicine regularly and by steering clear of the things that trigger asthma. You can also monitor your own asthma by asking your doctor to provide you with a peak-flow meter, a simple device that measures the amount of breath in your lungs.

If your asthma is caused by an allergy, you may be able to find out what you are allergic to by having special tests and then taking practical steps to avoid the allergen.

Remember: never stop taking your preventer medication, even when your symptoms are stable. Don't wait until your symptoms get worse; they'll be harder to treat.